Overview
- Australia is aligning with the UK, France and Canada to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September under conditions that exclude Hamas from governance.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sought direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Australia’s recognition plan.
- A July 29 conference of 17 states, the EU and the Arab League proposed a two-state framework calling for Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank, Hamas disarmament and the creation of a Palestinian state.
- Ceasefire and hostage negotiations remain deadlocked as Israel’s security cabinet weighs a full conquest of Gaza.
- U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is pressing an “all-or-nothing” proposal for the simultaneous release of all remaining hostages.